I knew it was inevitable for us to have to get rid of people, and alot of people are up in arms about the trade we just made with Atlanta, sending Buff, Eager, and Sopel over there for a couple of picks and prospects and whatnot (i'm not even really sure, I was in the midst of a 2 hour rain delay at the Cell when I heard the news...). Not to mention today's trade of Colin Fraser, which did not cause as much of an uproar.
I don't really blame people for being angry about it, I mean, Buff was a key element to not only beating Vancouver, but San Jose as well. He had a great run in the playoffs and became an instant fan favorite, and then he was gone as soon as we won the championship...
...and ya know? it kinda reminds me of Aaron Rowand a bit now that I think about it. Big Buff could be the new grindiest man in the world at this rate. The reaction from the fans has been almost identical to that of Sox fans when we traded Rowand away. Only difference is, we got Jim Thome in return. that's actually a pretty good deal. This hockey one, not so much. But there's a reason for that.
And that reason is the salary cap. After that weird situation with Dale Tallon last year involving the players who would become free agents, we now find ourselves in a bit of a dilemma. We signed the core players, Captain, Kaner, and Keith, so we could be secure there. But it was inevitable that we would have to trade people away to make room for that money to resign the others, or just not resign them at all. I have always had mixed reviews about the salary cap in sports. Baseball is the one i think should have one the most, but it's the only one that doesn't. I like the idea of letting the little guy win once in a while, but i am not crazy about the cap in the NHL. I think it just might be a little too strict.
For example: Captain accomplishes something very awesome in winning the Conn Smythe trophy. He gets a bonus on his contract for winning said trophy. Now the team has even less money to work with because it goes towards the cap. So basically, for helping his team win the Stanley Cup, he's screwing his team over. Now where I come from that's just not right. I read in the Tribune that he wanted to differ the money, but the league said no dude. I would be interested to know how he feels about that, given what I know about him and his personality. Maybe i'll get a chance to meet him again and ask him ^_^ (although when I met him the first time I didn't know what to say and i'm sure I sounded dumb...kinda glad my friends weren't there to see that one lol).
Anyway, that's my issue here and that's really all I can say about it. I'll miss these boys, especially big Buff...hopefully he'll still get in Luongo's crease when the Thrashers play Vancouver...
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
checklist of awesomeness
Stanley Cup? check.
Olympic Gold Medal? check.
Conn Smythe trophy? check.
being on the cover of a video game? check.
<3 <3 <3 yes.
Olympic Gold Medal? check.
Conn Smythe trophy? check.
being on the cover of a video game? check.
<3 <3 <3 yes.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
The cup chronicles: vol. VII: The day Chicago forgot about the crosstown game
Yesterday morning was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. We got downtown around 8:30, which i thought would be somewhat early enough, but I was wrong. We got as close as we could to the intersection with the stage, but we were a little bit south of Wacker on Michigan Ave., pretty much right across the street from the Blackhawks store.
People were pretty much squished together as my friends and I tried to make our way up the crowd. It was really hot, so unfortunately some people passed out around us, and others were just feeling really claustrophobic. As for me, I was a little on the warm side, especially because I was wearing the alternate black jersey, but I knew that it would be all worthwhile to get a glimpse of the Captain with the Cup in his hands. And it was.
As the busses approached us, I got up on my friend's shoulders so I could see, and the initial sight of everyone was pretty overwhelming. It was so amazing how many people there really were to come and throw love back at these boys. I waved and yelled and blew kisses to all of them, and got waves back from Adam Burish and Brian Campbell. Then, as the final bus approached, I saw Captain and Kaner, with the cup riding alongside. I let out a shriek like none other, like a 12 year old girl at a Backstreet Boys concert (perhaps i'm dating myself a bit when I say that...). I thought I was going to die. I yelled to them of my undying love, and waved furiously, and with Kaner's free hand, he pointed right at me. His other hand? occupied by his bottle of champagne. Captain was looking the other way, so alas I did not get a wave back from him. But the acknowledgment from Kaner was still awesome.
The rally was a very amazing and very memorable thing. I think Kaner stole the show with his whole "I'll keep my shirt on this summer" and "I love ya, cab drivers" thing. I also liked Keith's inquiry of whether the fans knew a good dentist, even though I expected him to say something like that. But I think my favorite part, the part that made me laugh for hours afterward, goes a little sometihng like this:
Every time I dive in my pool
It's hard to be humble
while I do a breast stroke through an underground tunnel
and come up on the other side in a Jacuzzi
being greeted by 2 girls who are wearin' my jersey
They give me lots of hugs and kisses and they ask me what my wish is
I say "go and get your friends cuz there's gonna be a party"
And in the end the Stanley Cup is a dream!!! and i'm like YES!!
(Kris Versteeg is a STUD)
The weird thing was, that I don't remember a time ever that the Sox vs Cubs game was such a side note. It really seemed like nobody was talking about it at all. That's really how much of an impact these boys have had on this city. It's really an amazing phenomena when a baseball crazed city like us just kinda keeps such a big rivalry in the back of their mind. I love it.
So all in all, it was a very memorable day, and when I got home last night after thinking about the victory, and the celebration, and how special this team really is, it brought tears to my eyes. One of the most unforgettable chapters in my life has come to an end. Thank you boys, for everything. Now a whole summer without the Captain. How sad...i'll miss you <3
And this year's Cup chronicles are Ovah! I hope they'll be back next year ^_~
People were pretty much squished together as my friends and I tried to make our way up the crowd. It was really hot, so unfortunately some people passed out around us, and others were just feeling really claustrophobic. As for me, I was a little on the warm side, especially because I was wearing the alternate black jersey, but I knew that it would be all worthwhile to get a glimpse of the Captain with the Cup in his hands. And it was.
As the busses approached us, I got up on my friend's shoulders so I could see, and the initial sight of everyone was pretty overwhelming. It was so amazing how many people there really were to come and throw love back at these boys. I waved and yelled and blew kisses to all of them, and got waves back from Adam Burish and Brian Campbell. Then, as the final bus approached, I saw Captain and Kaner, with the cup riding alongside. I let out a shriek like none other, like a 12 year old girl at a Backstreet Boys concert (perhaps i'm dating myself a bit when I say that...). I thought I was going to die. I yelled to them of my undying love, and waved furiously, and with Kaner's free hand, he pointed right at me. His other hand? occupied by his bottle of champagne. Captain was looking the other way, so alas I did not get a wave back from him. But the acknowledgment from Kaner was still awesome.
The rally was a very amazing and very memorable thing. I think Kaner stole the show with his whole "I'll keep my shirt on this summer" and "I love ya, cab drivers" thing. I also liked Keith's inquiry of whether the fans knew a good dentist, even though I expected him to say something like that. But I think my favorite part, the part that made me laugh for hours afterward, goes a little sometihng like this:
Every time I dive in my pool
It's hard to be humble
while I do a breast stroke through an underground tunnel
and come up on the other side in a Jacuzzi
being greeted by 2 girls who are wearin' my jersey
They give me lots of hugs and kisses and they ask me what my wish is
I say "go and get your friends cuz there's gonna be a party"
And in the end the Stanley Cup is a dream!!! and i'm like YES!!
(Kris Versteeg is a STUD)
The weird thing was, that I don't remember a time ever that the Sox vs Cubs game was such a side note. It really seemed like nobody was talking about it at all. That's really how much of an impact these boys have had on this city. It's really an amazing phenomena when a baseball crazed city like us just kinda keeps such a big rivalry in the back of their mind. I love it.
So all in all, it was a very memorable day, and when I got home last night after thinking about the victory, and the celebration, and how special this team really is, it brought tears to my eyes. One of the most unforgettable chapters in my life has come to an end. Thank you boys, for everything. Now a whole summer without the Captain. How sad...i'll miss you <3
And this year's Cup chronicles are Ovah! I hope they'll be back next year ^_~
Thursday, June 10, 2010
The cup chronicles: vol. VI: There are no words.
Those commercials really are true, there are no words to describe what i'm feeling or what anyone else is feeling for that matter. But last night was one of the most memorable moments of my life, even giving October 26, 2005 a run for its money...
We were out at a little townie bar on NIU's campus called Lord Stanley's (obviously a very fitting venue), and the crowd there including myself and my friends was, well, indescribable. So much excitement, so much tension, especially when the score kept going back and forth like it had been in every game in the series. That intermission before overtime brought on an extremely anticipatory mood. Everyone was thinking the same thing I was, "This could really happen tonight..." and it did.
Ah, the weirdest goal ever. Most game winning goals are fired in like a laser beam past the unsuspecting goalie. This time, it was kind of just...in the goal...past the unsuspecting Leighton. Part of the crowd started cheering and I was just really confused. I saw Kaner throw his arms up in the air. "Did we just...win?" I thought. And as they showed the replay, the crowd exploded, and I just stood there for a brief moment. I didn't know what to do with myself. After the shock and awe of the unusual situation that had just occured, I screamed my freaking lungs out. To be able to celebrate with my boyfriend, whom i met in 2006 (so we had just missed the Sox World Series victory together) was really a special moment too. We had watched so many games from so many teams in our relationship together, and now we could finally share our first championship together.
And then, as many would expect of me, I teared up just a tiny bit apon seeing the not-so-serious Captain getting interviewed. He had the biggest smile in the world on his face, and I was so happy for him. He and the rest of the team had worked so hard to get here, and it was all worthwhile. And Captain got his well-deserved Conn Smythe trophy, and when he held that cup high in the air and kissed it, it was all over for me. I will never forget that moment for the rest of my life.
I also got a little choked up when i talked to my dad. He taught me how to love these crazy teams of ours in this city, and he had been waiting a long, long time for this. All that time he spent as a kid shooting the puck around in the garage or minding a pretend net as Tony Esposito, all the times the games weren't shown on TV or even sometimes not even on the radio, now things have really turned around.
The celebration has only just begun. Tomorrow morning, myself and the rest of the SAS crew will be over at the rally. We are going to try to get there as early as we can, so I can get the best view of the Captain. ^_~ we will be at the intersection of Michigan and Wacker where the stage will be set up. Look for me, i'll be wearing the black alternate Toews jersey and have my patented Indian feather clip in my hair. ^_^
I still can't describe how i'm feeling, even after it's been almost a whole day. I am just so proud of these boys, and I love them all so much. They really are my heroes. <3 Thank you, Blackhawks.
2010. Stanley. Cup. Champions.
We were out at a little townie bar on NIU's campus called Lord Stanley's (obviously a very fitting venue), and the crowd there including myself and my friends was, well, indescribable. So much excitement, so much tension, especially when the score kept going back and forth like it had been in every game in the series. That intermission before overtime brought on an extremely anticipatory mood. Everyone was thinking the same thing I was, "This could really happen tonight..." and it did.
Ah, the weirdest goal ever. Most game winning goals are fired in like a laser beam past the unsuspecting goalie. This time, it was kind of just...in the goal...past the unsuspecting Leighton. Part of the crowd started cheering and I was just really confused. I saw Kaner throw his arms up in the air. "Did we just...win?" I thought. And as they showed the replay, the crowd exploded, and I just stood there for a brief moment. I didn't know what to do with myself. After the shock and awe of the unusual situation that had just occured, I screamed my freaking lungs out. To be able to celebrate with my boyfriend, whom i met in 2006 (so we had just missed the Sox World Series victory together) was really a special moment too. We had watched so many games from so many teams in our relationship together, and now we could finally share our first championship together.
And then, as many would expect of me, I teared up just a tiny bit apon seeing the not-so-serious Captain getting interviewed. He had the biggest smile in the world on his face, and I was so happy for him. He and the rest of the team had worked so hard to get here, and it was all worthwhile. And Captain got his well-deserved Conn Smythe trophy, and when he held that cup high in the air and kissed it, it was all over for me. I will never forget that moment for the rest of my life.
I also got a little choked up when i talked to my dad. He taught me how to love these crazy teams of ours in this city, and he had been waiting a long, long time for this. All that time he spent as a kid shooting the puck around in the garage or minding a pretend net as Tony Esposito, all the times the games weren't shown on TV or even sometimes not even on the radio, now things have really turned around.
The celebration has only just begun. Tomorrow morning, myself and the rest of the SAS crew will be over at the rally. We are going to try to get there as early as we can, so I can get the best view of the Captain. ^_~ we will be at the intersection of Michigan and Wacker where the stage will be set up. Look for me, i'll be wearing the black alternate Toews jersey and have my patented Indian feather clip in my hair. ^_^
I still can't describe how i'm feeling, even after it's been almost a whole day. I am just so proud of these boys, and I love them all so much. They really are my heroes. <3 Thank you, Blackhawks.
2010. Stanley. Cup. Champions.
Monday, June 7, 2010
The cup chronicles: vol. V: 1 more...
It could be just 60 more minutes of playing time before my Captain has the cup in his hands...and I am officially in fangirl freakout mode.
That game last night was amazing. The Hawks played like the team I know and love, not the team that played in games 3 and 4. Switching up the lines did help (even though Chris D-bag Pronger said it didn't have anything to do with anything, but who cares what he has to say anyways), and even though captain's line was -6 total, I think that putting him with Hossa and Kopecky was a sweet idea, and it seemed to be effective dispite the fact that 2 goals got in while they were out. As usual, Captain had alot of opportunities to score, but Leighton is evil and denied him of the Stanley Cup finals goal you know he wants so very much. Perhaps on Wednesday...
All in all, everyone has stepped up in some way to help out this team, and I really love that about them. Obviously Niemi has done a good enough job for the most part, even though in the finals he hasn't been as stellar per se. I still love the job he's done throughout the postseason, especially after all the pointless goaltending controversy that occurred throughout the regular season and into the playoffs. I also love how Bolland, the big man Buff, and Hossa have been playing. And let's not forget about our lovely defenseman Keith and Seabs. A team where everyone steps up will win a championship, i've seen it happen before...^_~
I hate that there are 2 days till game 6 instead of just 1 like usual. Hopefully tomorrow goes by fast (although I do have to work at the Sox game so that's not gonna happen...). The night before game 5 I had some really messed up dreams, and I couldn't sleep because of the excitement. i feel like that will happen again tomorrow night for sure. Yes the dreams did include Hawks players. That is all I will say about it. The point is, the excitement for the next 2 days is going to be intense, and to pass the time i will play my favorite online game and watch a whole lot of NHL network.
Speaking of watching things, I watched alot of Comcast Sportsnet today. Last night at the game, Dave Kaplan of Chicago Tribune Live ate dinner at the Stadium Club, so i wanted to watch it to see if he mentioned anything about his experience, but alas he did not. I also watched a great show in the morning that pretty much consisted of Sarah Kustok and Chuck Garfien working out for half an hour. if that's not quality television, i don't know what is. Then they replayed yesterday's game, so I of course watched that. Then, on Sportsnite, they had this guy from CSN Philadelphia talkin smack about our city...and would you believe he had the NERVE to say that we "can't even get the RIGHT team in our town to win the world series" as they showed footage from '05??? That pretty much pushed me over the edge. Shawn, you can have your Phillies, and the half of HBJ that likes the Flyers can have that too. But I really really just don't like that city anymore.
Anyway, Wednesday will be awesome and you can bet that i will be watching on the edge of my seat the whole time. Could it be the day that all of us Hawks fans have been waiting for? I just have to try to get through tomorrow first...
That game last night was amazing. The Hawks played like the team I know and love, not the team that played in games 3 and 4. Switching up the lines did help (even though Chris D-bag Pronger said it didn't have anything to do with anything, but who cares what he has to say anyways), and even though captain's line was -6 total, I think that putting him with Hossa and Kopecky was a sweet idea, and it seemed to be effective dispite the fact that 2 goals got in while they were out. As usual, Captain had alot of opportunities to score, but Leighton is evil and denied him of the Stanley Cup finals goal you know he wants so very much. Perhaps on Wednesday...
All in all, everyone has stepped up in some way to help out this team, and I really love that about them. Obviously Niemi has done a good enough job for the most part, even though in the finals he hasn't been as stellar per se. I still love the job he's done throughout the postseason, especially after all the pointless goaltending controversy that occurred throughout the regular season and into the playoffs. I also love how Bolland, the big man Buff, and Hossa have been playing. And let's not forget about our lovely defenseman Keith and Seabs. A team where everyone steps up will win a championship, i've seen it happen before...^_~
I hate that there are 2 days till game 6 instead of just 1 like usual. Hopefully tomorrow goes by fast (although I do have to work at the Sox game so that's not gonna happen...). The night before game 5 I had some really messed up dreams, and I couldn't sleep because of the excitement. i feel like that will happen again tomorrow night for sure. Yes the dreams did include Hawks players. That is all I will say about it. The point is, the excitement for the next 2 days is going to be intense, and to pass the time i will play my favorite online game and watch a whole lot of NHL network.
Speaking of watching things, I watched alot of Comcast Sportsnet today. Last night at the game, Dave Kaplan of Chicago Tribune Live ate dinner at the Stadium Club, so i wanted to watch it to see if he mentioned anything about his experience, but alas he did not. I also watched a great show in the morning that pretty much consisted of Sarah Kustok and Chuck Garfien working out for half an hour. if that's not quality television, i don't know what is. Then they replayed yesterday's game, so I of course watched that. Then, on Sportsnite, they had this guy from CSN Philadelphia talkin smack about our city...and would you believe he had the NERVE to say that we "can't even get the RIGHT team in our town to win the world series" as they showed footage from '05??? That pretty much pushed me over the edge. Shawn, you can have your Phillies, and the half of HBJ that likes the Flyers can have that too. But I really really just don't like that city anymore.
Anyway, Wednesday will be awesome and you can bet that i will be watching on the edge of my seat the whole time. Could it be the day that all of us Hawks fans have been waiting for? I just have to try to get through tomorrow first...
Friday, June 4, 2010
The cup chronicles: vol. IV: best of three.
Well, After this one, I have alot of thoughts running through my pretty little fangirl head, but i'm trying to keep my cool as much as I can.
First of all, I was a big Hjallmerson supporter, but I am extremely disappointed in the way he turned the puck over TWICE to give the Flyers a chance to score 2 goals, which if you think about it was the difference, considering our almost-epic comeback in the third period.
I kind of like that we started a comeback like that, although i'm frustrated that we didn't finish it. The comeback was a good sign that my boys never quit, no matter how stupid and evil these Flyers really are.
Don't even get me started on Chris Pronger. I will hurt him in ways he never thought possible if I run into him at the UC on Sunday. I was hoping Sunday would be the clinching day, but I guess that's not gonna happen now. I don't mind the Hawks in 6, but if it goes to 7, well...my Chicago baseball fans know what else happens that day...(but if you don't, the Sox indeed play the Cubs at Wrigley that day...)
So now it becomes a best of three series, and the intensity is through the roof. I know Sunday that myself and the rest of the crowd will be out of its mind, and I will love any minute of it.
I work at the Sox game the night of game 6...but i'm gonna do everything in my power to change that ^_~ I look forward to these next 2 games, and you can bet that I will be screaming my lungs out at the pure evil that is the Philadelphia Flyers.
This is war.
Also, i'd like to take a moment to mourn the loss of John Wooden. Definitely a legend of the sports world, and as Bill Walton (whom i absolutely love) said, he is an "intergalactic being", and he will be greatly missed.
First of all, I was a big Hjallmerson supporter, but I am extremely disappointed in the way he turned the puck over TWICE to give the Flyers a chance to score 2 goals, which if you think about it was the difference, considering our almost-epic comeback in the third period.
I kind of like that we started a comeback like that, although i'm frustrated that we didn't finish it. The comeback was a good sign that my boys never quit, no matter how stupid and evil these Flyers really are.
Don't even get me started on Chris Pronger. I will hurt him in ways he never thought possible if I run into him at the UC on Sunday. I was hoping Sunday would be the clinching day, but I guess that's not gonna happen now. I don't mind the Hawks in 6, but if it goes to 7, well...my Chicago baseball fans know what else happens that day...(but if you don't, the Sox indeed play the Cubs at Wrigley that day...)
So now it becomes a best of three series, and the intensity is through the roof. I know Sunday that myself and the rest of the crowd will be out of its mind, and I will love any minute of it.
I work at the Sox game the night of game 6...but i'm gonna do everything in my power to change that ^_~ I look forward to these next 2 games, and you can bet that I will be screaming my lungs out at the pure evil that is the Philadelphia Flyers.
This is war.
Also, i'd like to take a moment to mourn the loss of John Wooden. Definitely a legend of the sports world, and as Bill Walton (whom i absolutely love) said, he is an "intergalactic being", and he will be greatly missed.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
The cup chronicles: vol. III: 2nd intermission quickie
As you know by now, I work at the games at the UC, so I haven't really been able to post about those games just yet. But don't worry, i will.
As for right now, it is currently tied at 2 (thanks to....Brent Sopel???) in the second intermission. Here are a few quick tidbits before i continue watching this crazy crazy game.
First of all, I know I said Mike Richards was my sworn enemy, but now that answer has obviously changed to Chris Pronger. At the end of the first period, he had Captain in a headlock for God's sake. Not to mention all those other stupid things he's been doing. Jut cuz he's old and can barely move does not give him the right to mess with us like that. Not like we can't handle it, though.
Also, you gotta love the old Sopel goal. How random is that?? both goals in this game so far are by defenseman, which is awesome (the first one by our friend Duncan Keith, who ith very happy to be in the Thanley Cup Finalth). I can tell that the tension is building very much here, and it will make for an awesome third period. I hope the Hawks come out strong once again, and we can win this thing and change that 2 to a 1...^_^
Here we go, 3rd period time. Let's go boys! <3
As for right now, it is currently tied at 2 (thanks to....Brent Sopel???) in the second intermission. Here are a few quick tidbits before i continue watching this crazy crazy game.
First of all, I know I said Mike Richards was my sworn enemy, but now that answer has obviously changed to Chris Pronger. At the end of the first period, he had Captain in a headlock for God's sake. Not to mention all those other stupid things he's been doing. Jut cuz he's old and can barely move does not give him the right to mess with us like that. Not like we can't handle it, though.
Also, you gotta love the old Sopel goal. How random is that?? both goals in this game so far are by defenseman, which is awesome (the first one by our friend Duncan Keith, who ith very happy to be in the Thanley Cup Finalth). I can tell that the tension is building very much here, and it will make for an awesome third period. I hope the Hawks come out strong once again, and we can win this thing and change that 2 to a 1...^_^
Here we go, 3rd period time. Let's go boys! <3
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